Super Rugby pre-season ready for lift-off as Sharks line up Russia

The Sharks will prepare for this season’s Super Rugby tournament with two matches against Russia in Durban.

Sean Everitt’s side will face Russia on Friday (January 10) and then again on January 17.

The Sharks will also face NWU-Pukke ahead of their first meeting with Russia this weekend.

A match against the Stormers in Soweto also awaits the Sharks on SuperHero Sunday (January 19).

The warm-up matches will provide some valuable game time for the Sharks with their new recruits. Some of the new players are Madosh Tambwe, James Venter, Sikhumbuzo, Ox Nche and Henco Venter.

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The Sharks start their 2020 Super Rugby campaign against the Bulls at Kings Park on Friday, January 31 before going on a four-match tour with matches against the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds.

Elsewhere, the majority of the Super Rugby teams will prepare for this year’s tournament with two trial matches, while the Sunwolves, Chiefs and Brumbies have scheduled only one match, respectively.

January 10, Friday

Sharks v Pukke

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Sharks v Russia

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

January 11, Saturday

Stormers v Maties, UCT, CPUT and a DHL WP XV

Venue: Florida Park, Ravensmead

January 17, Friday

Sharks v Russia

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Lions v Bulls

Venue: Loftus Versveld, Pretoria

Jaguares v Georgia

Venue: Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires

Highlanders v Waratahs

Venue: New South Wales, Sydney

Chiefs v Blues

Venue: Waihi Arena, Hamilton

Reds v Rebels

Venue: Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone

January 18, Saturday

Hurricanes v Crusaders

Venue: Mid Canterbury Rugby Union, Ashburton

January 19, Sunday

Stormers v Sharks

Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto

Lions v Bulls

Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto

January 23, Thursday

Rebels v Brumbies

Venue: St. Albury, New South Wales

January 24, Friday

Jaguares v Georgia

Venue: San Isidro Club, Buenos Aires

Blues v Hurricanes

Venue: Takapuna Rugby Football Club, Auckland

Crusaders v Highlanders

Venue: Wanaka A&P Show Grounds, Otago

Reds v Waratahs

Venue: Dalby Leagues Club, Queensland

January 25, Saturday

Sunwolves v Challenge Barbarians

Venue: Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu, Japan

- Rugby365

Reds head coach Brad Thorn and new captain Liam Wright have spoken of their hopes for the upcoming Super Rugby season: